Tuesday's letters: Mentoring is powerful

Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 9:15 p.m.

Dr. Joe Dorchak was my mentor. Dr. Dorchak passed away Jan. 24.

After my graduation from college, my mom had a heart problem. Dr. Dorchak became her cardiologist. I had graduated with a B.S. in psychology and had a position at the McCarthy-Teszler School, but fate intervened. Dr. Dorchak discussed Mom’s prognosis. We reviewed her films and he pointed out the abnormalities. During treatment, Mom told Dr. Dorchak how I had given up my position to care for her and how I had an affinity for medicine.

Now unemployed and with my interest in medicine rejuvenated, I took a job at Greenville General Hospital in respiratory therapy. A couple of months passed, and Mom, a seventh-grade science teacher, received a call from Spartanburg General Hospital’s cardiopulmonary lab asking her to apply for a technician opening. She told them it wasn’t her but her daughter they were looking for. I applied and was hired as an on-the-job trainee.

Dr. Dorchak loaned me texts and would test me on my understanding of the information. He explained procedures, outcomes, calculations and treatments. He spent hours guiding my journey into a new profession, cardiopulmonary technology. There was a relatively new diagnostic modality for cardiology in the department, echocardiography. Dr. Dorchak had studied under Dr. Harvey Feigenbaum, the father of echocardiography. Dr. Dorchak provided hands-on training in cardiac ultrasound. He saw a spark and started a fire.

I have been blessed to be able to provide technological services to thousands of patients for more than 40 years and have a successful career. This wouldn’t have been possible without the initial investment Dr. Dorchak made by sharing his knowledge and time with me — mentoring. I have tried to do the same. I am forever thankful. Pass it forward.

Karyn Page-Davies

Woodruff

Lack of common courtesy

My husband and I live on a road that is a common shortcut and has busy traffic during the commute hours. The posted speed limit is 35, however, most cars seem to average 45-50 mph. The street was not built for that speed or for heavy use.

The other day, our mailbox was hit again by a car. This is the second time in four months. The first time, the driver stopped and offered to pay for the mailbox replacement. The driver had about $1,000 worth of damage to his truck, and my husband declined the offer. We thanked him for doing the right thing by stopping and to use the money toward getting his truck fixed.

Just recently, a driver was not as kind and did not stop, nor did he leave a note. What he did leave behind was a whole bunch of pieces of his sideview mirror. Is everyone in such a hurry, or does everyone simply have no sense of responsibility anymore?

I walk my dog along the road, and when I see an approaching car I try to get over on the shoulder as far as I can. Some people will slow down and move over as they approach, and I always wave and mouth, “Thank you.” However, an alarming number of people do not make any adjustment at all and come very close to us.

Whatever happened to common courtesy? These sound like such little things, but I can’t help wondering if it is because we lost touch with the little things that the “big things” are happening.

<p>Dr. Joe Dorchak was my mentor. Dr. Dorchak passed away Jan. 24.</p><p>After my graduation from college, my mom had a heart problem. Dr. Dorchak became her cardiologist. I had graduated with a B.S. in psychology and had a position at the McCarthy-Teszler School, but fate intervened. Dr. Dorchak discussed Mom's prognosis. We reviewed her films and he pointed out the abnormalities. During treatment, Mom told Dr. Dorchak how I had given up my position to care for her and how I had an affinity for medicine.</p><p>Now unemployed and with my interest in medicine rejuvenated, I took a job at Greenville General Hospital in respiratory therapy. A couple of months passed, and Mom, a seventh-grade science teacher, received a call from Spartanburg General Hospital's cardiopulmonary lab asking her to apply for a technician opening. She told them it wasn't her but her daughter they were looking for. I applied and was hired as an on-the-job trainee.</p><p>Dr. Dorchak loaned me texts and would test me on my understanding of the information. He explained procedures, outcomes, calculations and treatments. He spent hours guiding my journey into a new profession, cardiopulmonary technology. There was a relatively new diagnostic modality for cardiology in the department, echocardiography. Dr. Dorchak had studied under Dr. Harvey Feigenbaum, the father of echocardiography. Dr. Dorchak provided hands-on training in cardiac ultrasound. He saw a spark and started a fire.</p><p>I have been blessed to be able to provide technological services to thousands of patients for more than 40 years and have a successful career. This wouldn't have been possible without the initial investment Dr. Dorchak made by sharing his knowledge and time with me — mentoring. I have tried to do the same. I am forever thankful. Pass it forward.</p><p><em>Karyn Page-Davies</em></p><p><em>Woodruff</em></p><h3>Lack of common courtesy</h3>
<p>My husband and I live on a road that is a common shortcut and has busy traffic during the commute hours. The posted speed limit is 35, however, most cars seem to average 45-50 mph. The street was not built for that speed or for heavy use.</p><p>The other day, our mailbox was hit again by a car. This is the second time in four months. The first time, the driver stopped and offered to pay for the mailbox replacement. The driver had about $1,000 worth of damage to his truck, and my husband declined the offer. We thanked him for doing the right thing by stopping and to use the money toward getting his truck fixed.</p><p>Just recently, a driver was not as kind and did not stop, nor did he leave a note. What he did leave behind was a whole bunch of pieces of his sideview mirror. Is everyone in such a hurry, or does everyone simply have no sense of responsibility anymore?</p><p>I walk my dog along the road, and when I see an approaching car I try to get over on the shoulder as far as I can. Some people will slow down and move over as they approach, and I always wave and mouth, “Thank you.” However, an alarming number of people do not make any adjustment at all and come very close to us.</p><p>Whatever happened to common courtesy? These sound like such little things, but I can't help wondering if it is because we lost touch with the little things that the “big things” are happening.</p><p><em>Janet Alden</em></p><p><em>Duncan</em></p>